Summer storms almost always hit Britain from the Atlantic, in the west. But eerily, the huge storms smashing the country today swept in almost precisely at Midnight, from the direction of Brussels.

James Madden, forecaster for Exacta Weather, said: “It is very unusual to see storms of this ferocity coming over from Europe at this time of year as usually they are driven by activity in the Atlantic.

“Although not unheard of, it is of course very coincidental that the low pressure causing the heavy downpours over Britain today is coming in from Europe.

“Later this afternoon flooding could become a serious risk in the southeast.”

Barcroft Media

Huge bolts of lightning smash into Kent as the polls open this morning